Zone

ZoneOne day last week ESPN analyst and former college basketball head coach Fran Fraschilla tweeted that he was disgusted with offenses in college basketball. He said players today lacked fundamentals and shooting percentages continue to drop.

His comments got me thinking about the state of the game and what Clemson could do to improve on its slow start this season. My main conclusion was that the Tigers needed to play more zone. We had several discussions on my radio show about the Tigers showing more zone after the Tar Heels dismantled Clemson in Littlejohn Coliseum.

Brad BrownellBrad BrownellHead CoachView Full Profile has always been a man to man coach. His teams have traditionally played very little zone. However, we have seen the Tigers play more zone in recent weeks. As a result, Clemson has played much better in the loss to Louisville and a win at Pittsburgh.

In my opinion there are several reasons why the Tigers should continue to play more zone. Here are a few:

Foul TroubleLandry NnokoLandry NnokoJr. Center#35 6-10, 255Montverde, FLView Full Profile and Sidy DjitteSidy DjitteSo. Center#50 6-10, 240Fayetteville, NCView Full Profile have had a hard time with fouls this season. Zone is noted to help keep big men out of foul trouble. The zone can protect them.

DepthOne of the major issues with this team has been depth. The Tigers have not been able to count on their depth this season. A zone is noted to help guys play more minutes. Defenders don't have to chase offensive players all around the court. They don't have to fight throw screens and chase cutters across the court.

Pick and RollIt seems to me that so many teams utilize the pick and roll more and more each year. The zone cuts down on a major weapon offenses try to utilize.

Dibble DriveClemson has major issues with quickness and athleticism at the guard positions. We have seen quicker point guards drive by Rod HallRod HallSr. Guard#12 6-1, 205Augusta, GAView Full Profile and penetrate against man to man defense. A zone defense eliminates the quickness deficit and cuts down on a guard’s ability to penetrate.

Shooting PercentagesIt is clear to many that the ability to shoot the basketball has been lost in today's game. Why not take away the inside game and make the offense shoot over the top of a zone?

In summary, Clemson has several reasons to play more zone. I know Brownell is a man to man coach, but this team has big issues and it appears to this observer that the zone can help the Tigers.

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